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Forward Press
Top 100 Poets 2004
Biographies
of the Top 17 Prize Winning
Poets
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Angela
Cheyne
Wins:
£3,000
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Our
Forward
Press Top
100 Poet of
the Year
2004 is…
Angela Cheyne
from North West London!
Read
winner Angela Cheyne's
£3,000 prize winning poem Urban Scene
and her biography in our Featured
Poets section. 
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Karen
Canning
Wins:
£500
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Our Forward Press Top
100 Poet of the Year 2nd Place
Winners are…
Karen
Canning
from
South Yorkshire!
Read Karen
Canning's £500 prize winning poem Visions
of Never-Ending Dreams
and her biography in our Featured
Poets section.
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C
A Keohane
Wins:
£500
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and...
Catherine
A Keohane
from
Mid Glamorgan!
Read Catherine
A Keohane's £500 prize winning poem Departing
Kiss
and her biography in our Featured
Poets section.
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Our Forward Press Top
100 Poet of the Year 3rd Place
Winners are…
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Dave Austin from South Yorkshire
Wins:
£250
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Dave
Austin
My favourite subject at school was English, and I developed an early penchant for the written word. My parents sent me to church every Sunday and I was fascinated by the hymns, especially the form of the words that were printed in the hymn books. I didn’t start writing poetry until I reached my teens, but my school boy essays always drew critical acclaim from my teachers, and I won the progress prize for English in my last year at school. When I was 18 I joined my local youth club and started writing lyrics for the youth club band. It wasn’t long before my lyrics turned into poems, and I’ve never looked back. My first poems were published in a magazine called ‘Pause’ in the late seventies/early eighties, which was run to promote budding poets. Shortly after I joined the Salopian Poetry Society, which I am still a member of. My work has been published in magazines including ‘Lookout’ Peace and Freedom’ ‘Salopeot’ ‘Isthmus’ and 'IIclemeent’ and I have recently started writing short stories which are mainly published in the booklets of The Poetic Circle of Friendship’, based in Bognor Regis. I was recently voted their author of the year, and I will be very busy providing writings for all their publication. My best short story is ‘The Moss Garden’ and is due to be published in Monomyth Magazine in January 2005.
Writing has been a therapy through various ark times in my life such as a motorcycle accident and a stroke. My poetry has also been published in over 20 anthologies by Forward Press, and I hope some of it will be included in Poetry Now magazine in the near future. My childhood is of great of inspiration to me, as are natural things like flowers and birds. The greatest theme that runs through my poetry is the destructive power of passing time, and the sadness of how beautiful things succumb to it. I hope to continue writing for as long as possible, not aiming for fame, but driven by a desire for my work to be read by others. I believe my work is good, and I’m confident I will succeed.
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Marisa Greenaway from Oxfordshire
Wins:
£250
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Marisa Greenaway
I am 45 years young and was born in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. I’ve have been writing poetry since childhood, but took it up again seriously about 12 years ago. The poem that hooked me as a child, and still a great favourite of mine, was ‘The Highwayman’ by Alfred Noyes. My mum, also a poet, encouraged, me to start sending my work up for publication, and to date have had around 45 published, must have been one of the few times I was glad that I listened to mum.
I love traditional poetry and most of my inspiration comes from nature and the seasons. But I realised if I wanted to have a chance in today’s world of modern poetry; I would have to expand the type and style of my poetry. So with a shaking hand, and help from Morgan Kenny, from Poetry Now Magazine, I have hopefully achieved my goal. I never dreamt that I would ever get into the Top 100 Poets, it still hasn’t sunk in. But I must dedicate my unbelievable achievement to my mum, Sheila and my daughter Dawn, the two most important, supportive people in my life.
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Marian Maddison from Wigan
Wins:
£250
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Marian Maddison
I was born in Chorley, Lancs. I lived in Yarrow Valley. Although I live in Wigan now – and Wigan is a fine place to be, Yarrow Valley is in my heart and soul. It is the inspiration of all my work. I saw so many things happen there in the past. All places have their disastrous moments, and the valley had its share, but the good times were really good and the funny times were hilarious. I loved it then and I still do today. I can take a snapshot from any angle of the valley, and I would have something to write about.
I enjoy writing; it is becoming one of my favourite pastimes. My other interests are visiting historic buildings, art galleries, stately homes and gardens listening to music, playing the piano and electronic keyboard. My favourite musician is Jon Bonjovi, I think his lyrics are awesome and his music is cool!
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David G Seiglow from Liverpool
Wins:
£250
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David G Seiglow
In 1996 I lost my job through ill health and overnight lost all my manual skills. I did not know what the future held as I had been a builder’s labourer all my life. One of my work mates used to call me ‘Pack Horse’, a beast of burden.
I also have literacy problems, the only thing that I could confidently write was my own name and address.
I was in constant pain due to ill health and felt a prisoner of the limitations of my mind. The motivation for writing poetry wads the fear of dying and not being able to tell the family of my thoughts and feelings.
I was encouraged by friends to attend a local adult education centre, which I did for a while. There I was able to share my problems and gradually I began to think of words that expressed how I felt.
I had always been interested in poetry and found it easier to read rather than a novel.
Ideas would come into my head and with the help of my dictionary I would write a few words down and eventually a full poem would ensue.
My inspiration to write poetry comes from different situations.
When I wrote ‘To see you one more time’ I was remembering a schoolgirl who I was in love with as a teenager and never got the chance to tell her my feelings. And it was only as a 50-year-old that I could release this teenager from within me.
It has come as a bit of a shock to my whole family that I have the ability to write poetry because I have always had problems reading and writing.
My poetry reflects my personality and it has opened the prison doors of my mind, allowing me to express how I view the world.
I have written an anthology of poems entitled ‘Out of the dyslexic darkness’. The title relates to how I see myself now that poetry has brought me into the light. I often think that if I had lost my ability to work I would never have discovered the joy of writing poetry.
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Our Forward Press Top
100 Poet of the Year 4th Place
Winners are…
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Natalie Clark from Berkshire
Wins:
£100
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Natalie Clark
My name is Natalie Clark and I am 20 years old. I have just finished a national diploma in Media Moving image and hope to go in to the
TV or film industry as an editor. My inspiration for my poems are my feelings. I have been through a lot and was unable to express my feelings out loud so I started putting them on to paper and out came these meaningful poems which I know and understand. A lot of my friends have read my poetry and every one of them interprets them to what they are feeling. I will always write poetry everywhere and anywhere, even when I’m at work I write a line or two.
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Ken Copley from South Yorkshire
Wins:
£100
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Ken Copley
Born in 1936 just prior to WW1, I spent my younger days wherever my father was stationed. After we returned to Doncaster to live and due to the shortage of houses I went into a children’s home. While there, we slept in dormitories and it was decided (by the lad in charge of the lights) that whoever his torch stopped on had to tell a story. It was usually I. Then I had a strong imagination and they always enjoyed my tales. Later, Dad bought a house and the family was together again. I often attended church and there I was soloist at Sunday school anniversaries, or, acting the comedian in plays put on by the young people of the chapel. I sometimes used to write verse to pass the time. I became very interested in the arts, yet still my favourite hobby was gardening. Through working on the railway I started writing poetry to fill in time whilst waiting for trains. I joined English Heritage and National Trust, which enabled me to study our past history about our ancestors. In poetry I write about the things I see and experience. Love, Life and travel. I have been called a romantic because of some of my work. Ten years ago I started up with the Royal Air Forces Association and the Royal British Legion as a caseworker to help those that kept this country free. Through this I hear tales of servicemen’s doings and added to my own experience gives me a background for my military poems. Inspiration comes from many things, my love of nature and life in general. I like to write about things as I remember them and as I would like things to be. Believing in the pleasure of all things and you cannot go wrong. To write about love, life and leisure also means remembrance of past times.
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Terence Leslie from West Yorkshire
Wins:
£100
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Terence Leslie
Living in Armley, a suburb of Leeds where Alan Bennett and Barbara Taylor Bradford were born, I feel there must be something in the atmosphere, which inspires writers.
I have lived in and around Armley for over 60 years but was born in the centre of Leeds on 25th April 1937. Scholastically I was no Einstein and left school without any qualifications.
I first started to write poetry in 1964 when I was inspired by a visit to the Denby Dale Pie celebrations. Since then poetic inspirations have come from chance meetings and conversations with people, visits to various places in Europe and North America and event such as at Denby Dale.
It was not until 2001 that I managed to get a poem in print, although I had been in print with stories and articles since 1977. My poem ‘The Leaves Fell One By One’ was published in an anthology called ‘Thoughts And Reflections’ by Poetry in Print. In November 2002 Anchor Books included my poem ‘Pennine Gale’ in the anthology called ‘All Our Days’ and I have since had many other poems published by them.
Earlier this year I had a little book of poems printed, which contained a selection of my published and unpublished poems.
My poetry reflects a pastoral theme based on the many places I have visited both in Great Britain and abroad. Sometimes a chance meeting or an event will inspire me to put pen to paper.
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Ricky N Lock from Kent
Wins:
£100
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Ricky N Lock
I am 43 years of age and live in Old Bexley village, Kent. I am a Psychosynthesis counsellor and a registered healer. I love to work with people and help them to open up to more of themselves, so they can find their own way to help themselves to live a happier
life...
Read
the rest of winner
Ricky
Lock's
biography
and a
selection of
his work
(also a
winner of
our Top 5
Poems of the
Month of May
2004 online
competition)
in our Featured
Poets section.
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Brandon Gene Petit from the USA
Wins:
£100
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Brandon Gene Petit
My love for writing began when I started writing lyrics for a band that never really got started. I filled up a whole binder full of poetry and lyrics just from writing in my room alone. Later on, I played bass guitar in a few rock bands and co-wrote some of the lyrics. When my music vision finally began to fade, I moved to upstate New York to be with my family and give my writing skills full attention. Here, in the semi-rural quietude of Port Jervis, I take influence from every chapter in my life and channel it into a collective form of poetry. From dreams and nightmares to science and folklore, I absorb creative ideas from many walks of life and combine it all into my own neo-gothic/sci-fi style.
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Neil Roper from Spain
Wins:
£100
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Neil Roper
Neil first started writing poetry as a child and was editor of the prep
school magazine.
Since then, he has never stopped, and poems as well as translations have
appeared in many magazines, including the ‘London Magazine’ (Luc Vuagnat
translation) and newspapers. He writes poetry equally in French, which has
been published, and he has translated from French to English contemporary
poets in bilingual editions. He started public readings with the well-known
‘Pentameters’, in Hampstead.
Prizes for poetry include winning one Alexander Searle Literary Association
competition; and he was awarded the Certificate of Merit from the
International ‘Who's Who in Poetry,
C.U.P’.
His latest book of poetry is entitled ‘In search of silence’.
Themes include a strong focus on the environment and ancient Egypt.
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Geraldine Sanders from Essex
Wins:
£100
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Geraldine Sanders
I have been married to Barry for 31 years and we have three children, Matthew, Andrew and Clare. I have been writing poetry since I was a small child when I used to keep a pen and paper by my bed for the moment I woke in the night with ideas.
I am inspired by nature during my daily walks, gentle bike rides and while I study birdlife, be it from hides, open countryside or woodland.
Music also is a great subject to bring about inspiration.
Favourite topics for writing must be Mother Nature, and love in general. Trauma in my life will find my pen emptied of ink as the ideas pour from my mind.
I have practised the art of Qi Qong for 7 years and Reiki for the past 6 years, which tend to enhance creative channels within.
The need for writing is an immensely powerful part of my life.
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Val Shedden from Tyne & Wear
Wins:
£100
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Val Shedden
Born in and educated in the North East I taught primary schools in Durham before training as a Deaconess and was one of the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Church of England after ten years in ministry. I have worked in a variety of parishes in Durham Diocese and until 2000 I was also a RE advisor. I have been writing for a long time, in 1993 my first entry into a local competition was commended and published. Recently I completed an MA in creative writing at the local University of Northumbria. I have been published in magazines and I write for a local paper. At the moment I am a vicar of a very busy parish and time to write is precious.
I am married with two daughters and two cats. I love to read – Helen Dunmore, Billy Collins, Linda France are a few of my favourites. I also enjoy skiing and wine tasting. I’ve never yet tried to do both on the same day but who knows! I want to get fit, write a novel and visit Assisi in the near future.
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Michelle
Towler-Tipping from Essex
Wins:
£100
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Michelle
Towler-Tipping
I
was born in
London in
1968. I
became a
State
Registered
Hairdresser
then pursued
a career in
Futures
&
Options in
the city. I
am
fascinated
by Chinese
Medicine and
qualified in
Tui Na. I
have
travelled
widely and
enjoy
spending
time in the
Caribbean,
mainly under
water,
usually in
the company
of sharks or
exploring
shipwrecks
and have
developed a
great
passion for
the fragile,
underwater
world.
My
Husband and
I settled in
Chafford
Hundred,
Essex. We
were married
in 1998
after 10
years
together and
I happily
became a
full time
Mum to our
Son, born in
1999
followed by
our Daughter
in 2001.
In
February
2000 just
after her
57th
birthday, my
much-adored
Mum lost her
gruelling
two-year
fight with
ovarian
cancer. My
Dad, Brother
and myself
were by her
side when
she died at
home.
Four
months after
Mums death I
found myself
on a
deserted
beach in
Barbados,
late one
night with a
pen and
notebook. My
first poem,
“Jumping
Fish”
tumbled onto
the paper
before me,
along with a
river of
tears. The
release was
so intense.
More poems
were created
over the
following
months; each
brought me a
little more
light and
renewed
energy.
Gratitude
was written
in an
attempt to
reach out to
those who
touched my
heart during
a very
difficult
time in my
life.
Poetry
has become a
passion for
me and I am
continually
surprised at
how many
different
ways my
writings are
perceived. I
find great
satisfaction
in writing
about my
experiences,
whether it
is happy,
sad, curious
or
enchanting.
My
poetry
continues
and has
played a
huge part on
my long road
to dealing
with, and
adjusting
to, the loss
of a truly
amazing and
inspirational
Lady.
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Mark Vanner
from
Nottingham
Wins:
£100
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Mark Vanner
I am twenty-six years of age and after living in Manchester and London I currently find myself living back in the city I was born which is Nottingham. I am told that the ratio here is two women to every one guy which apparently makes Nottingham a good place to live, although I do have my suspicions that this is a myth or perhaps I am just plain unlucky.
My interests and hobbies include reading, writing poetry, painting, smoking and drinking – often to the sound track of Bob Dylan, Nirvana, Hell is for Heroes or The Smiths. I started writing poetry when I was eighteen and have been fortunate enough to have some of those selected to be included in poetry magazines and Forward Press anthologies. I am hugely grateful for this as it has given me not only the opportunity to see my poetry in print, but also the confidence to continue with my writing and to strive to better myself. My main influences include Christopher Williams, Simon Armitage, Charles Bukowski, Barry Macsweeney and Jack Kerouac.
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